Porto aim to continue their flawless start to the new campaign when they host Red Star Belgrade on Thursday in round two of the Europa League league phase.
The Dragons opened their continental journey with a hard-fought success away to Salzburg, while the Serbian champions played out a draw against Celtic on matchday one.
Read our Porto vs Red Star Belgrade predictions and preview to find out, but remember to also check our other UEFA Europa League tips.
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Porto vs Red Star Belgrade prediction: Hosts aim to extend perfect run
Key stats:
- Red Star have managed only two wins in their last 16 away fixtures in European competitions, losing 12 of those contests.
- Porto have conceded just once in their eight matches across all competitions this term.
- The Dragons have struck the first goal in every game they have played this season.
Correct score prediction: Porto 2-0 Red Star Belgrade
Red Star arrive in Portugal on the back of an entertaining spell in which they have both scored and conceded in nine consecutive matches. However, they now face a Porto side that looks extremely well balanced, with a watertight defence and an attack that has already registered 20 goals in eight matches. Farioli’s men appear well placed to claim another victory while keeping a clean sheet, making a 2-0 success a very realistic outcome.
Pre-match analysis: Hosts tipped as overwhelming favourites
- HOME: 4/11 (1.36) – 73.3%
- DRAW: 4/1 (5.00) – 20.0%
- AWAY: 13/2 (7.50) – 13.3%
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes; subject to change.
The odds underline Porto’s dominant start, with a 73.3% probability of victory highlighting the Portuguese giants as clear favourites. Red Star’s 13.3% chance reflects their underdog status, with any result other than a home triumph certain to be viewed as an upset.
Our hot tip of a home win or draw and both teams not scoring is priced at 2.15, offering considerable value given Porto’s strong defensive record and clinical attack.
Most recent H2H: First time meeting
This will be the first encounter between Porto and Red Star in European competition. Both clubs, however, are no strangers to facing opposition from each other’s nations.
Porto preview: Farioli sweating over Samu Aghehowa’s fitness
The Dragons began their Europa League campaign with victory in Salzburg courtesy of a dramatic late strike from William Gomes. That win was followed by a resounding 4-0 demolition of Arouca at the weekend, which preserved Porto’s perfect start to the season and kept them top of the Primeira Liga standings.
Nevertheless, the triumph came at a cost, with striker Samu Aghehowa forced off shortly after half time and now faces a late fitness test. Luuk de Jong has already missed recent games due to injury and may remain unavailable. Nehuen Perez is another absentee, still recovering from a muscle issue.
Predicted XI: D Costa (GK), Fernandes, Bednarek, Kiwior, Moura, Froholdt, Varela, Veiga, Pepe, Gul & Sainz
- 29/09/25: Arouca 0-4 FC Porto (W)
- 25/09/25: Salzburg 0-1 FC Porto (W)
- 19/09/25: Rio Ave 0-3 FC Porto (W)
- 13/09/25: FC Porto 1-0 Nacional (W)
- 30/08/25: Sporting CP 1-2 FC Porto (W)
Red Star Belgrade preview: Marco Arnautovic pushing for a start
Red Star began their Europa League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Celtic in Belgrade. The Star then demonstrated their resilience at the weekend, overturning a one-goal deficit against Radnicki 1923 in the Serbian SuperLiga to claim a 2-1 victory with two stoppage-time strikes.
That win came despite playing most of the second half with ten men, after Bruno Duarte was dismissed shortly before the interval. The Brazilian forward will still be available for selection in Europe as his suspension does not apply here.
Marco Arnautovic impressed from the bench, providing the assist for the equaliser, and the experienced Austrian forward is in contention to start. Meanwhile, Rade Krunic remains sidelined with an abductor injury.
Predicted XI: Matheus (GK), Stankovic, Rodrigao, Lekovic, Tiknizyan, Kostov, Elsnik, Duarte, Ivanic, Milson & Arnautovic
- 28/09/25: Red Star Belgrade 2-1 Radnicki 1923 (W)
- 24/09/25: Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic (D)
- 20/09/25: Partizan 1-2 Red Star Belgrade (W)
- 14/09/25: Red Star Belgrade 7-1 Zeleznicar Pancevo (W)
- 31/08/25: Novi Pazar 1-5 Red Star Belgrade (W)
Player to watch: Denis Gul
Denis Gul made an immediate impact after coming on for Samu against Arouca, netting his first goal in almost a year. The Swedish-born forward will be closely monitored if Samu fails to recover, especially with De Jong also sidelined, as the burden of Porto’s attack could fall heavily on his shoulders.